In another step towards promoting multiculturalism and prevention of racial discrimination, Singapore ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

The ICERD is a United Nations convention that condemns racial discrimination based on race, colour, descent, nationality or ethnic origin, and calls upon member states to pursue a policy of eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms. The Republic of Singapore signed the ICERD on October 19, 2015.

Singapore is a multiracial and multicultural society where people of different races and religions live harmoniously. Photo courtesy: psd.gov.sg

“Ratifying the ICERD underscores Singapore’s commitment to work towards a society free of racial discrimination. The Government will work with stakeholders to fulfil its commitments under the ICERD, and strengthen Singapore’s social harmony,” said Singapore's Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) in a press release issued today.

It added, “Public consultations on Singapore’s first State Party report on ICERD will be carried out in 2018, in preparation for the periodic review by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth of Singapore, said, “Since independence, we have built a nation on the fundamental principle of a multiracial society. Mutual respect and understanding must be deliberately and continuously nurtured among our diverse communities.”

“Racial discrimination of any kind has no place in Singapore. We encourage everyone to do their part in making Singapore a home for citizens of all races, religions and backgrounds,” Fu added.

ICERD was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 21 Dec 1965, and is the oldest of the nine core international conventions on human rights by the UN.

The convention requires countries to condemn all forms of racial discrimination, whether based on race, colour, descent, nationality or ethnic origin, and to pursue a policy of eliminating racial discrimination. States Parties to the Convention are expected to fulfil their treaty obligations via legislative, judicial, administrative and institutional measures. ICERD further recognises that affirmative action measures may be necessary to achieve some of these ends.

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Ashraf Jamal – Senior Writer

Ashraf Jamal brings a rare depth to writing equipped with a degree in journalism, a postgraduate degree in political science, and a degree in law from the Allahabad University. His experience includes editing and publishing the Northern India Patrika and writing for Times of India for almost a decade covering just about any topic under the sun including NRIs and Indian diaspora.